Aged Care Advocacy; What is it?
What is an Aged care Advocate?
An advocate is an impartial person who can help you understand and stand up for your rights in the Aged Care system.
This includes making sure you have a say in decisions that affect you or your loved ones, providing options to have your aged care needs met and helping you resolve complaints and concerns.
Advocacy services support the rights of anyone receiving (or seeking to receive) aged care services, and empower ageing Australians to make informed decisions about their care.
An aged care advocate can assist with things like:
- interacting with the aged care system
- transitioning between aged care services
- knowing and understanding your rights
- making decisions about the care you receive
- options for having your aged care needs better met
- resolving concerns or complaints with your aged care provider about the services you receive
- speaking with your service provider at your direction
- increasing your skills and knowledge to advocate for yourself.
Who can access Aged Care Advocacy services?
ANYONE – including you, family members or your representatives, wishing to receive government-funded aged care services.
Including anyone:
- living in an aged care home
- receiving aged care services in their own home
- receiving transition (respite) care
- helping someone who is receiving aged care services.
The government has a dedicated National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP), which offers all the above, and operates under the auspice of OPAN – Older Person’s Advocacy Network.
Note: Each state has a slightly different service name – read my other OPAN Post
If you have a disability, you can also find someone to help you through the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP).
Lastly, if you or your loved one is in Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs or Lower North Shore and you would like Susan to accompany you or represent your wishes at a meeting or appointment that concerns you, get a quote for this service by Contacting Susan
